Abstract:
Background: Globally, young adults and college athletes are primary targets of the marketing campaigns of
energy drink companies. Consequently, it is reported that young adults and college athletes consume energy
drinks frequently. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of energy drink consumption among
student-athletes selected from seven public universities in Ghana. The study assessed the energy drink
consumption patterns, types usually consumed, frequency of consumption and reasons why athletes consumed
energy drinks.
Methods: A total number of 180 student-athletes gave their consent to participate in the study and completed a
questionnaire which was administered during an inter-university sports competition.
Results: Most of the participants (62.2%) reported consuming at least one can of energy drink in a week. A high
proportion (53.6%) of the respondents who drink energy drinks indicated that they did so to replenish lost energy
after training or a competition. Other reasons given as to why energy drinks were consumed by the study
participants included to provide energy and fluids to the body (25.9%), to improve performance (9.8%) and to
reduce fatigue (5.4%).
Conclusion: These results suggest the need to plan health education programmes to particularly correct some
wrong perceptions that athletes have regarding the benefits of energy drinks and also create awareness among
student-athletes about the side effects of excessive intake of energy drinks.
Keywords: Energy drinks, Consumption practices, Student-athletes, University
